College of Staten Island, CUNY Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

CSI uses the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity uniformly across all CUNY colleges

Academic Integrity Officer may be the college's Student Conduct Officer, another student affairs official, an academic affairs official, or a tenured faculty member

Academic integrity file is maintained confidentially to identify repeat offenders across CUNY colleges

The college has an Office of Diversity & Compliance (later named Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) located in Building 1A-205

Who handles academic misconduct cases at CSI?

Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee (UNVERIFIED: needs human research) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at CSI. Composed of two faculty members, six student members, and a faculty chairperson Responsible for hearing charges, accusations, or allegations presented against a student, which if proved, may subject that student to disciplinary action

What is the evidence standard at CSI?

CSI applies Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) under CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity; Student Code of Conduct; Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws (Standards of Conduct and Student Disciplinary Procedures) (Article XV CUNY Bylaws; Article 129-A of New York Education Law). Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee uses this standard when determining whether a student is responsible for an alleged violation. The evidence standard is critical because it determines how strong the evidence must be before a finding of responsibility can be made.

What rights do I have during a CSI conduct proceeding?

Under CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity; Student Code of Conduct; Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws (Standards of Conduct and Student Disciplinary Procedures), students facing a Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Written notice of charges against them; appear before the Committee; present witness statements and/or to call witnesses; appeal the finding in accordance with Article XV procedures. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at CSI?

Faculty members report suspected academic dishonesty on a Faculty Report Form to the Academic Integrity Officer; non-academic conduct matters reported through incident reports to the Student Conduct and Services Specialist

What sanctions can CSI impose for academic misconduct?

Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including academic sanctions such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, disciplinary sanctions including suspension or expulsion, grade held in abeyance using the pen grade pending committee's action. The specific sanction depends on the facts, the student's prior record, and any mitigating factors presented during the proceeding. Sanction-phase advocacy is often as important as the responsibility phase, since even a first finding can carry long-term consequences on transcripts and graduate school applications.

How do I appeal a decision at CSI, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at CSI is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Students may appeal findings in accordance with Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws procedures and/or may appeal the grade imposed by the faculty member in accordance with college procedures Appeal grounds typically include unverified: needs human research. Appeals that succeed are usually the ones that ground each argument in the record and the specific policy language, not emotional or general objections.

Do I need a lawyer for a CSI Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee proceeding?

In most cases, no. CSI's proceedings follow university policy under CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity; Student Code of Conduct; Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws (Standards of Conduct and Student Disciplinary Procedures), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands CSI's specific procedures, the evidence standard, and how sanctions are assessed. An education advocate typically provides stronger, more targeted guidance than a general-practice attorney because the body of law here is university policy, not criminal or civil procedure. AdvocatED brings deep, specialized expertise in these exact processes at a fraction of a law firm's cost.

How does CSI handle Title IX cases?

CSI handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI); Title IX Coordinator: Tara Mastrangelo, Investigator; Chief Diversity Officer. Tara Mastrangelo serves as Title IX Coordinator and 504/ADA Coordinator. Located at Building 1A Room 205B or 403A, CSI, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314. Phone: 718.982.2688. Email: Tara.Mastrangelo@csi.cuny.edu. The Chief Diversity Officer at CSI serves as Title IX Officer and oversees compliance with CUNY's Policy on Sexual Misconduct, CUNY's Policy on Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination, and Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at CSI, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at CSI?

At CSI, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating: unauthorized use or attempted use of material, information, notes, study aids, devices or communication during an academic exercise; plagiarism: representing another person's words or ideas as one's own; copying from another student during an examination or allowing another to copy your work; unauthorized collaboration on a take home assignment or examination. Knowing which violation is alleged is the foundation of an effective defense, because the response strategy differs substantially based on whether the case involves plagiarism, AI use, exam cheating, collaboration, or a procedural technicality.

What are the key deadlines in a CSI conduct case?

At CSI, the most consequential deadlines are: UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.